UPDATE: Worker at Nissan DIES in Apparent Accident on Thursday

Nissan officials said an employee of a supplier died in a fatal accident at its vehicle assembly plant in Smyrna.

The accident happened around 10:45 a.m. Thursday at the System 1 paint plant on Nissan Drive.

Nissan officials said the victim was an employee of Lake Orion, Michigan-based Complete Automation, a Nissan supplier. Spokesman Bob Light said the employee was killed when a large electrical panel fell while it was being moved.

Light said the company makes paint systems for Nissan and the employee, who was not identified, lived in Michigan. Light said the company’s thoughts and prayers were with the employee’s wife and children.

Nissan issued a statement that read in part: “Our deepest sympathies are with those affected by this tragedy, as well as the family of the deceased.

“The safety and well-being of our team members is Nissan’s top priority. The company is fully cooperating with authorities as they investigate today’s tragedy, and is doing everything possible to support those affected in the aftermath of this heartbreaking event.”

This is not the first accident at the plant. In June 2012, a Nissan supplier employee working for Enprotech was seriously injured while repairing a piece of heavy equipment at the Smyrna plant.

A transportation company employee was killed at the vehicle assembly plant in January 2012. 50-year-old Martin O’Connell was outside his truck when it began to roll forward. O’Connell was caught between his truck and a set of parked trailers, and died on the scene.

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